With less than four weeks until the United Kingdom (UK) is due to leave the European Union (EU), the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) has expressed serious concerns over the uncertainty that remains over the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

Although doctors in the region have benefitted from free movement, the CPME says it is concerned about the future of medical mobility.

“The exchange of knowledge and mutual learning opportunities which this mobility offered have crucially contributed to the continuous increase of quality of care across Europe for every patient. European doctors will therefore continue to advocate for a solution which safeguards quality of care and a continued knowledge transfer in the profession throughout Europe,” the organisation said in a statement. The CPME noted that many of these issues were most acute on the island of Ireland where cross-border cooperation on health occurs daily.

"CPME remains convinced that there are technical and legal solutions to enable doctors’ mobility and cooperation on health post-Brexit. We, therefore, appeal to negotiators on both sides to show the political willingness to protect health, with pragmatic and sustainable agreements," said Prof Dr Frank Ulrich Montgomery, CPME President.